They aren't Republicans. Some of their donors are.
132 donor households that gave over $100 to six of Portland's business-backed candidates also gave to Republicans like Christine Drazan. Among the progressive councilors running against them, we found none.
Updated Oct 20, 2026 · What changed
Tap any name on either side to trace the donors. Hover or tap a dot for what that donor gave.
We know these candidates are Democrats. That's the problem.
Republicans can't win a council seat in Portland, so they don't need to. Conservative Democrats can tell the Republican story about this city, with some Republican donors behind them, and lend it local credibility.The Portland Metro Chamber's political committees, and allied groups like Go Portland Go, tell voters which candidates to rank. These are separate campaigns, loosely aligned, in races with no party labels.
52% of donors who gave over $100 also gave to Republicans or Portland conservatives
49% of donors who gave over $100 also gave to Republicans or Portland conservatives
46% of donors who gave over $100 also gave to Republicans or Portland conservatives
45% of donors who gave over $100 also gave to Republicans or Portland conservatives
37% of donors who gave over $100 also gave to Republicans or Portland conservatives
The wild card. 31% of donors who gave over $100 also gave to Republicans or Portland conservatives
About these numbers: each percentage counts only donors who gave more than $100, the ones state filings name. Smaller gifts aren’t included yet; we’ve asked the city for those records. Counts run from January 2023, so they include 2024 campaigns; counting only the 2026 race gives every business-backed candidate the same or a higher share. “Portland conservatives” means Gonzalez, Vasquez, Mozyrsky, Adams, Treece and a 2022 PAC backing Gonzalez. Source: ORESTAR, Oct 17–18, 2026. How we counted
Republicans can't win here. So their story gets told by Democrats who can.
Why it matters →The donorsEvery candidate, ranked. The progressive councilors running against them: zero. And the new Novick donors who weren't there two years ago.
See who's funding whom →The votesIncluding the attempt to pull $10M from the police accountability office that 82% of voters created. It failed 6–6.
See the votes →The storySide by side: what Oregon Republicans say statewide, and what the committees backing these candidates say here.
Compare them →The economicsHouseholds earning $500K+ in Multnomah County, 2019 vs. 2024. Plus 50 years of research on tax cuts at the top.
Follow the money →The doom loopWhat's actually getting better in Portland, what isn't, and who's selling the decline.
See the data →ReceiptsEvery number links to a public record. Here is exactly how we counted.
Check our work →Portland uses ranked-choice voting. Anyone you rank can end up with your vote, so only rank candidates you'd want to win.